Young hearts in southern China ring with traditional Yingge folk dance during Chinese New Year

In Puning, a small town in China’s southeastern province of Guangdong, Yingge dance transformed the streets into a stage of rhythmic power, tapping and dancing with "Yingge Sticks" as the Chinese New Year approached. From the first day in lunar January to the fifteenth, the streets and alleys are buzzing with excitement. In the vibrant mix of Chaoshan's celebrations, the Yingge dance took center stage. A fusion of drum playing and martial arts, Yingge dance, also known as "Hero's Song", is a vibrant Chinese folk dance from the Ming Dynasty. Performers, resembling the 108 Stars of Destiny, use small sticks or tambourines to showcase a dynamic performance. The team is made up by 13-year-old Rao Weibin, his 14-year-old friend Li Haokai, and the initiator of the Jiangtou Village Yingge Team, 15-year-old Chen Yi, fondly known as Fatty. The trio, Chen Yi, Li Haokai, and Rao Weibin, emerged as the backbone of the Jiangtou Village Yingge Team. Chen Yi, the eldest and initiator, led the team. Li Haokai, the "head”, joined at Chen Yi's invitation, and Rao Weibin, driven by a simple desire to grow taller, became an active member. During Yingge performances, the team moved in sync, shouting, and dancing, following the rhythmic drumbeats, as they wielded the "Yingge Sticks" with strength and skill to create a powerful spectacle. Due to a coach shortage, the team had a difficult time understanding the nuances in techniques. Despite a tight budget, the team's enthusiasm never wavered. Among numerous Yingge dance performances, only one wins our team's leader 's heart. Fumei team ranked the top on Chen Yi's list, as he and his friends were constant visitors at their training field to spy on the training session. Encouraged by our reporter, the trio, hearts pounding, approached the coach for guidance in the sacred ancestral hall. To enhance their skills, they need proper props, but limited budget has made them to turn to handmade ones. On the day of their official performance, the village buzzed with excitement. With homemade costumes and painted faces, the Jiangtou Village Yingge Team took the stage. The performance wasn't just a folk dance. It was also a realization of dreams, attracting new members to the rhythmic heartbeat of traditional culture.